For National after beating Becher rivals

like that.

“It was exactly what we’d hoped for. He didn’t seem to quite get home in the National last year, but we dropped back a mile and our prayers have been answered.

“Others will come out of the woodwork for the National I’m sure, but he must have a very good chance if we ride him a bit more restrained, like we did today – we’ve only got eight lengths to find.

“I’ll think about how we get there, he might wait for the Grand National Trial at Haydock and then the National. We’ll think about the Gold Cup, but hopefully we’ve got that sorted (with Bristol De Mai).”

Blaklion is now the general 10-1 favourite for the National.

Once again proving how form over the big fences can be crucial, Gas Line Boy, one place behind Blaklion in April, won the 188Bet Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.

Trainer Ian Williams made the bold decision to to go for the two-mile-five-furlong event rather than the Becher and he was duly rewarded.

The testing conditions played to the strengths of Gas Line Boy, but you still need plenty of things to go your way over the National fences and when Arctic Gold fell in front of him, he needed to be nimble to avoid him.

Robbie Dunne always looked to have everything else covered though and he kicked clear after the last, with the 9-2 favourite having enough up his sleeve to hold off Ultragold, winner of the Topham Chase, by four-and-a-half lengths.

Williams tweeted: “Gas Line Boy confirmed his love of the National fences. He finished a gallant fifth in the Grand National in April and he’ll be trained for the big one again.

“All being well, he’ll go next in the £100,000 32Red Veterans’ Final at Sandown Park on January 6.”

Definitly Red made nearly every yard of the running to win the 188bet.co.uk Many Clouds Chase.

Brian Ellison’s strong stayer was sent off the 9-4 jointfavourite along with Cloudy Dream and they had it to themselves from some way out, but stamina came to the fore.